Treating

The news of the day is a possible "release" on Monday barring any complications with Ash's health. At this time the oncologists have decided they would like to continue treating a possible pnuemonia in Ashley's lungs. The liver team has agreed to continue her on the two suggested antibiotics to try and keep the infection from worsening. Nothing has grown back on the cultures sent earlier this week so the only thing they can find is a hazy area in her lungs. They are not willing to take any chances since Ash is under going chemotherapy. I have asked if I can be allowed to run the antibiotics myself at the apartment as opposed to hanging out here for the next 2 weeks. We have been allowed to do this in the past and I am comfortable with the procedure of connecting them to her line and setting the pump. They judge and jury are still deciding this matter.

If we are allowed to leave then it looks like Ash and I will be coming to the hospitals treatment center and to the transplant clinic 3 days a week. The next 4 Tuesdays will be the longest days as we run her chemo treatments. On 1 of those Tuesdays we will be in chemo for 9 hours. On the remaining 3 only 6 hours. After those Tuesdays are complete then we will be allowed to go home to Texas as long as she does not get sick with any type of infection and if her organs continue to function well. Before leaving for home we must find a pediatric oncologist willing to finish Ash's chemo treatments for the remaining 12 weeks. We hope that will be in Dallas, but Houston is also a possibility. The chances of her not getting ill with such a low white count is very slim, but I know that God is still bigger than chemotherapy and low blood counts. I believe we will go home in His time.

I would like to say that I am excited about the possibility of leaving, but I know better. I'm not going to plan or prepare until the are telling me to "get out" on Monday. Then I might believe that it is going to happen. Dave is still picking his daisies under neath the rainbow that follows him around. He sounds like a kid the night before Christmas each time we talk. I appreciate our differences. I am thankful God gave him this optimistic disposition. It balances out my realistic one. I just hope that Ash and I get to pick a few of his daisies soon. It would be such a blessing to get her to a stable enough place in her recovery to actually leave the hospital and eventually make it home.